Opening Day jitters may hit a few young Tigers, but most ready to get going

It’s time for the Detroit Tigers to pick up the ball for the start of the 2014 regular season. A few youngsters might have some Opening Day jitters on Monday, but most of the veteran team is just ready to get going.
DAVID GOLDMAN — The Associated Press

detroit >> For some, this is the dream they grew up dreaming: Opening Day, as a Major League Baseball player.

For the several players on the Detroit Tigers experiencing it for the first time, it will be exciting and nerve-wracking, all rolled up in one.

“Absolutely. It’s everybody’s dream. You grow up a little kid, and everybody’s like ‘I want to play in the big leagues.’ And then you do get there, it’s just a blessing,” said Tyler Collins, the rookie outfielder who’s making the jump from Double-A, noting that the Tigers locker room is bigger than his apartment. “Just excitement, disbelief. It didn’t really hit me. It still kind of hasn’t. (Monday), it will for sure. I’m just kinda living in a dream right now.”

For the remainder of the veteran laden club, just watching the younger teammates enjoy the moment is almost as fun.

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“I’m excited for him, because I was that guy once. You’ll never forget your first season, your first time in the big leagues. Just Opening Day is a moment he’ll never forget. When they call his name out (Monday), at 1 o’clock, I think he might have a tear in his eye,” said 17-year veteran Torii Hunter. “Or he might be throwing up in the bathroom, like I was.”

Collins isn’t the only one experiencing a first in Monday’s game against the Royals.

Nick Castellanos used to skip school to go to Opening Day for the Marlins, but hasn’t seen the equivalent in Detroit.

“I heard that here it’s kinda like a holiday, so I’m very excited to see how it’s going to be,” said Castellanos, who made his big-league debut last September.

Ian Krol didn’t make it up to the Nationals until June last year.

Luke Putkonen arrived to the Tigers in April in 2012, and May last season.

Bryan Holaday came up in June each of the last two seasons.

Evan Reed was designated for assignment as the Marlins set their Opening Day roster last season, and latched on with Detroit, making his big-league debut in May.

“TC (Collins) comes up and just impresses everybody with the way he goes about his business. Playing the game very hard. Just looked awesome in spring. Just to see guys like him, and Reed, and Luke make the squad, and see their excitement, you can’t help but get energized by them,” said 13-year veteran Joe Nathan, admitting he still gets nervous on Opening Day.

“I get nervous every time I’m out there. It could be Game 152, and we’re up 10 games, and I’ll still get nervous when I get out there, for sure.”

So does Hunter.

“Just the anxiety. You can’t wait to get it going. I don’t know if you guys played football or anything like that, but a football game, before a game, you get that ball thrown to you, and you got butterflies. Then you get hit for the first time, and the butterflies are gone,” the veteran outfielder said. “That’s kind of the same thing for me, every year, at Opening Day. They call your name out, get the game going. Then you get that first hit, or strikeout, or whatever, you kind of get it out of the way and be like — *exhale* — I’m human.”

For manager Brad Ausmus, who’s the skipper in his first big-league game that counts, there’s not really any more nerves, just the same excitement he had in his 18-year playing career.

“Yeah. I remember my first Opening Day, and I remember how excited guys were throughout my career when they made a team for the first time on Opening Day. A lot of people don’t get to experience, so it’s something they should enjoy,” Ausmus said.

“The one Opening Day that stands out probably more than any other Opening Day in my entire career was the last season at Tiger Stadium. There must’ve been six or eight people that jumped on the field during the course of the game.

“I know it’s akin to the Super Bowl here, Opening Day for the Tigers. There’s a lot of energy.”

About the Author

Detroit Tigers beat writer for The Oakland Press in Pontiac, Michigan. Mowery has spent 18 years covering sports, from preps to pros. He’s been honored with more than 25 awards for writing. Reach the author at matt.mowery@oakpress.com
or follow Matthew B. on Twitter: @MatthewBMowery.